Miramichi Fishing Report for Thursday, August 31, 2017

Two views of a brook, currently dry, that normally flows into the Northwest Miramichi, one image looking up the brook and the other of the brooks mouth.

MIRAMICHI – Water temperatures have improved this week, resulting in a few more fish being in the taking mode. However, we still have had no significant rain to improve the water levels. Having said that, I’m sure Houston would gladly share if they could. Our sympathies go out to them in this time of crisis.

W. W. Doak and Sons in Doaktown said the good news was lower water temperatures with cooler nights giving the river around 60 degrees Fahrenheit for the morning start. However, water levels remain very low with few reports of any amount of new fish coming into the system. One camp in the Doaktown area report three fish caught Tuesday, and camps further up-river have been doing reasonably well.

Andrew Anthony of Ledges Inn in Doaktown and Mountain Channel in the Rapids area said cooler water temperatures were helping them as well. The end of last week produced a half dozen grilse at Ledges, while Mountain Channel down river in the Rapids area hooked and landed seven between Thursday and Saturday. The Channel reported six so far this week (end of Tuesday) including an 18-pound salmon. They also had a few bright fish in the mix. The water remains very low with rain definitely needed.

Flies of choice were Bombers and small dark patterns such as Black Bugs, Undertakers, and White-tailed Green Machines on nos. 10 & 12 hooks.

Herb Barry Sr. of Herb’s Fly Shop on the Station Road in Blackville said the most fish he had heard reported were striped bass in pools where salmon should be. There were a few salmon and grilse around, but they were not moving due to very low water. “If they are moving, they must be taking the bus up river”, said Barry. There was an odd one taking, but certainly no numbers to speak of. There were hardly any anglers on the river.

Flies of choice were Killer Whiskers.

Curtis Miramichi River Outfitting in Blackville said anglers were catching a few fish in the low-water pools, with a mix of salmon and grilse. Most were old fish that have been in the system a while. Water levels were very low, but temperatures were adequate.

Flies of choice were small Green-butt Bear Hairs, Shady Ladies and White-tailed Green Machines on nos. 8 & 10 hooks, along with a few Bombers.

Jim Laws of Miramichi Hunting and Fishing in Newcastle, Miramichi reported very low water conditions, although cooler temperatures were producing an odd fish that were holding in the low-water pools. The fall return of striped bass has not started in the Miramichi area yet, but there were reports of some coming back in Miramichi Bay. Usually, late September and October produces the best fall results. Stripers that were reported up-river are those that did not go out after spawning.

Flies of choice were Ba variety of Bombers and small dark wet flies.

NOTE: We wish Jim a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY as he turns 80 this week, and is still going strong! Keep’er up Big Fella!

Syd Matchett of Trout Brook Fly Shop on the Northwest Miramichi said for very low water conditions, fishing was not bad. One angler hooked three salmon on Saturday while another pool produced a salmon and a grilse. Cooler night-time temperatures were the saving grace for low water. Syd added that there must be some water around as angler Lissa Mallais took an unexpected bath this past week.

Flies of choice were White Bombers with yellow hackle, Green Bombers with Orange hacle and small dark patterns such as White-tailed Green Machines and Shady Ladies.

Debbie Norton of Upper Oxbow Outdoor Adventures on the Little Southwest the water levels were low, but typical August levels. With decent temperatures, they were catching a few fish and losing a few which was pretty good considering the conditions. Like most, she is looking forward to a good Fall run.

Flies of choice were White-tailed Green Machines and Will Taylor Specials.

So a good couple of days of steady rain would be welcomed to bring up water levels up and hopefully kick off the Fall run. Then most can get out and “on the water”.

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The Coalition for Better Salmon Management (CBSM) now has a website at salmonnb.com, which has been expanded and updated. It already has a membership over 1,000 and is a major voice for salmon conservation here in New Brunswick.

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Atlantic Salmon Federation NewsFriday, Aug. 18, 2017

ASF RIVERNOTES finds some interesting numbers in mid-August returns
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With the mid-August date passed, new numbers are available on salmon counts, some new notes from George River in Ungava, and ASF RIVERNOTES takes a look at Atlantic salmon and total solar eclipses. Plus many river re-openings for live release angling. Read on:http://asf.ca/asf-rivernotes-aug-18-2017.html

ASF Saving Atlantic Salmon
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Don Hustins literally wrote the book, River of Dreams, on the history of the Atlantic salmon in Newfoundland. He shows how important the Atlantic Salmon Federation has become to the future wellbeing of Atlantic salmon in North American rivers.http://asf.ca/asf-saving-salmon-not-privatizing-rivers.html

Bill Taylor Writes Letter on Grieg’s Way Forward
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ASF President Bill Taylor gives a perspective on what the NL Supreme Court decision offers on the need to have a full environmental assessment of the giant Placentia Bay aquaculture project.http://asf.ca/there-is-a-way-forward-for-grieg.html

Paul Smith Points Out the Need to Conserve More Salmon
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Often a wise voice on the rivers of Newfoundland and Labrador, he lends his perspective to the latest developments in the greatly reduced salmon runs.http://asf.ca/salmon-numbers-are-down-notes-paul-smith.html

ASF Researchers in a Big Ocean
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ASF’s Eric Brunsdon writes on the hard-core at-ocean fieldwork required to retrieve data from the ultra-important tracking research being led by ASF. In this case, the adventures are between Labrador and Newfoundlandhttp://asf.ca/research-in-the-field.html

ASF RIVERNOTES: An Update on Late August Atlantic Salmon Returns
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With September approaching, a look at the wild Atlantic salmon scene in the latter part of August.http://asf.ca/asf-rivernotes-aug-24-2017.html

Blog Update – ASF Researchers Regroup to Plan Autumn Action
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Staff gathered from across Atlantic Canada and New England to map out the months ahead.http://asf.ca/research-in-the-field.html

ASF Asks Anglers to share sighting reports of Striped Bass in salmon rivers
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There has been an alarming increase in the number of Striped Bass sightings far upstream from tidewater in Atlantic Canada, Quebec and even Labrador in 2017. ASF is now asking anglers to share their sightings in salmon rivers with our biologists by filling out a simple one-page survey. Anglers can provide valuable information in understanding the impact the Striped Bass may be having on juvenile salmon and other fish.
ENhttps://www.surveymonkey.com/r/asfbass
FRhttps://fr.surveymonkey.com/r/asfbassf

Washington State Salmon Farm Disintegrates – 305,000 Salmon Escape
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A Cooke Aquaculture site in Washington had a massive containment failure and all anglers and even trawlers are being encouraged to catch Atlantic salmon in Washington State’s San Juan Islands.http://asf.ca/305000-wa-farmed-salmon-escape-due-to-eclipse-tides.html